Physical and Sanitary Quality of Hand-Dug Well Water from Oil-Producing Area of Nigeria
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Date
2007
Authors
Ejechi, B.O
Olobaniyi, S.B
Ogban, F.E
Ugbe, F.C
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environmental monitoring and assessment
Abstract
The physical ( pH, Dissolved Solids, Dissolved
Oxygen, conductivity, water depth temperature)
and bacteriological (Total coliforms, Faecal coliforms)
characteristics of 22 hand-dug wells in oil-rich Niger
Delta of Nigeria were investigated. All coliforms
counts (Log10 MPN/100 ml) varied from well to well
ranging from 0 to 6.0 although faecal coliform counts
were markedly lower (0–3.5 vs 1.0 – 6.0). When both
seasons were compared, faecal coliform counts were
significantly higher (t test; P < 0.05) during the wet
season whereas no significant difference was observed
in respect of total coliforms. Unlike the total coliforms,
faecal coliform counts increased in wells close to
septic tanks during the wet season. Although a declining
trend was observed during the wet season, the values of
the physical parameters were within WHO limits. The
pH was slightly acidic (Mean ± SD: dry season, 6.04 ±
0.66; wet, 6.43 ± 0.62) and may be attributed to
emissions from gas flaring and petroleum refining
activities, which is common in the area. While the total
coliform counts reflected the unsanitary habits of the
well users, the detection of faecal coliforms exceeding
recommended numbers in 63% of the wells render them
unfit for domestic use. The public health implication is
obvious considering the increasing number of people
using the wells due to the rapid urbanization of the oilrich
region.
Description
Keywords
Wells , Water quality , Coliforms , pH , Conductivity , Dissolved oxygen , Dissolved solids
Citation
Ejechi, B. O., Olobaniyi, S. B., Ogban, F. E., & Ugbe, F. C. (2007). Physical and sanitary quality of hand-dug well water from oil-producing area of Nigeria. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 128(1-3), 495-501.